Blueberries yield: how much is usable after prep (AP to EP %)
Blueberries: about 98% usable going fresh to picked over, with a published range of 87–100%. That is a cost factor of 1.02: for every kilo you need ready to use, buy 1.02 kg as purchased.
Yield by preparation stage
| Stage | Average | Range | What is lost | USDA item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh → picked over | 98% | 87–100% | Stems and spoiled berries | 367 |
| Frozen → thawed and drained | 80% | 63–93% | Juice drained off | 372 |
Fresh blueberries are almost all usable. Frozen ones lose a fifth as juice when thawed and drained, which matters for a garnish but not for a sauce or a bake.
What the yield does to the cost
| Usable blueberries needed | Buy (as purchased) at 98% |
|---|---|
| 1 kg | 1.02 kg |
| 5 kg | 5.1 kg |
| 10 kg | 10.2 kg |
Use 98% in the yield calculator →
Yield source: USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 102, Food Yields Summarized by Different Stages of Preparation (Matthews and Garrison, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 1975), Table 1, items 367, 372 (US samples of fresh and frozen blueberries). Your own case is the real number: weigh it in the yield calculator.
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